Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1887-07-07
PRoEIrARLE REcolNo.

SlOnaI DeSSar. by IOlloW1ng TINS Occu-
patton he has an income of $40, 900 per
year. He goes into good society and is
one of the greatest wits and practical
jokers in town, so that his company is
much sought after He does not go
prowling about the streets, however,
begging a quarter or whatever he can
get He would disdain to accept less
than 800, still he manages to collect
so, 900 every year. He used to be
drummer for one of the larger dry
goods houses here, and an excellent
one he was too, but he found he could
make more money begging. He never
asks money from any one but rich
people; and believe if any other kind
of people were to offer him money he
would refuse it He does not, how
ever, beg directly for himself. but for
the New York Children's Home. The
head of the dry goods firm with which
dent of this institution; and, knowing
that his salesman was noted for his
cheek. he asked him enc day during =
dull season if he would circulate among
the millionaires and get up subscrip-
tons for the maintenance of the insti-
tuition. He agreed, and the first day
he started out he collected more than
it was expected he could do in a week.
The result was that he was offered
certain percentage of what he col
lected, and he found that it would pay
him to keep il all the time.
He says at first it was very trying
J I. = l. 1a6
that on the whole he rather likes the
business. aside from what money there
is in it. my experience" he says.
''shows me that the average New York
millionaire is much more liberal man
than the public supposes The only
difficulty is in seeking these men and
presenting your claims. worked six
months before l was able to see Jay
Gould. During that time 1 went to his
Office on an average of twice day, and
my efforts were in vain.
"Finally caught him on an elevated
train, and seating myself beside him he
was obliged to listen to me. 1 asked
for five hundred dollars. He told me
to call on him the next day and he
would give me his check for the
| amount / went to his office, but, not
outstanding l stated what had passed
between the millionaire and myself,
was refused admittance to his private
room. then made up my mind that
Mr.. Gould had thrown me off, but l was
determined to watch him again.
found out where he kept his private
bank account and got a check on that
institution, which l filled out for five
| hundred dollars. A month afterward
ran across Mr.. Gould again in the
Windsor Hotel. He did not remember
me, but / recalled our conversation,
and he again told mo to call at his of
fee, but l replied by presenting him
take him a moment to put his sigma
ture to it, and he did. Since then Mr..
Gould has every year renewed his sub
scription without any difficulty, and
really believe it gives him pleasure to
do so. Since then have got to know
him, and the public would be surprised
if it knew the amount he gives away
each year in charity in this unostenta-
tious manner.
Il had still greater difficulty in Sc
curing a subscription from the late
William II. Vanderbilt. l knew very
well that if 1 could talk with Mr.. Van
derbilt there would be no trouble about
| getting him to give me q subscription,
and, after innumerable calls upon him
without success, l discovered that he
was in the habit of having his tailor
| send man to measure him at his
house for suit of clothes. / went one
night to his mansion and represented
myself as tailor, and in this way was
ushered into Mr.. Vanderbilt's presence.
After exchanging greetings 1 said:
"'Mr. Vanderbilt, in order to get to
see you have lied; but 1 have done it
in behalf of charity. Instead of COM
ing and measuring you for suit of
clothes 1 have come to measure your
generosity in behalf of most worthy
institution
1.-The millionaire was very angry at
first and started to call his valet and
have him show me the door, but i'm
peded his exit and kept on talking, and
before got through had Mr.. Wander
bits check for a neat sum besides tax
ing glass of wine and cigar with
him. Up to the time of his death he
always renewed his subscription and
his sons do it now for him.
1.-The easiest of the millionaires to
get money from up to year or so ago
was r p. Flower. but his warm-hearted
| generosity became so well known that
the man was actually prosecuted. He
! - Al damOorafie in his Ysnannara tho =
any one who desires can get an audi
ence with him, and there is always lot
of beggars about his Office, hence he
was compelled to make a rule only to
| subscribe to organized charity. Now.